Straight & safety razor shaving

[YVK]

I just got myself a Rex Supply Co. Ambassador. I've been using a Merkur for several years. Making adjustments on the fly is a PITA with Merkur's smooth handle, and it lost its full range. Admittedly, I don't use low end of it and it is probably due to my neglect. Anyway, I did some reading and decided on the Ambassador. I'm not an educated customer here but it feels quality, handle is nice, easy to adjust. Writeups say that it is an aggressive razor so I've had it on mild settings but I think I'm going to end up somewhere above the midrange.

[Gun Mutt]

$11 plastic mirror from Amazon
https://a.co/d/6A9GwLq

Fwiw, I've been using this mirror for just shy of a month and it's hands down the best shower mirror I've used in the last 25+yrs.

[Chuck Whitlock]

30 Day Check Up.

Still quite happy with the Henson Mild and Astra SP matchup.

I wert ahead and used the tuck (pkg of 5) RK Blades that came with the razor on a one and done (just one shave, then discard ) basis.

While the RKs provided a solid shave, the Astra SPs are superior in every way. The take -a -way from the RKs though is that I am continuing the one and done use pattern with the Astra SPs.

1. At .09 a piece, cost is not an issue
2. For me, at shave 3, the blade is clearly not as sharp as shave 1
3. One and done makes keeping track of shaves per blade a non issue
4. One and done means I take apart and clean/dry the razor after every shave
5. Such a use pattern also has me using a Henson Travel Razor Cover and Rockwell Blade Bank

Blades 8.99
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001QY8QXM...roduct_details

Cover 14.99 though presently sold out
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CN7YP4KZ...roduct_details

Blade bank 4.99
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0778NC6Z9...roduct_details

My Henson arrived Thursday, lagging behind the above blades, bank, and styptic solutions, so my first shave with it was Friday.


OH MY GOD !!!

This was the closest, smoothest shave I've ever had in my life!

Skipped the shave on Saturday. Sunday was the only time I had a tiny weeper on my neck, and that was on the second, against-the-grain pass, which I've never even done before Friday.

This is seriously a game changer. I can't wait until my can of Nivea shave gel is empty, because I want to try something in a non-pressurized can. Looking at these two for now:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GXZSAE4...v_ov_lig_dp_it

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09QF78SYK...v_ov_lig_dp_it


I'm very, very glad that I opened this thread and took a chance. A sincere "Thank You" to all who've participated.

[jeep45238]

My Henson arrived Thursday, lagging behind the above blades, bank, and styptic solutions, so my first shave with it was Friday.


OH MY GOD !!!

This was the closest, smoothest shave I've ever had in my life!

Skipped the shave on Saturday. Sunday was the only time I had a tiny weeper on my neck, and that was on the second, against-the-grain pass, which I've never even done before Friday.

This is seriously a game changer. I can't wait until my can of Nivea shave gel is empty, because I want to try something in a non-pressurized can. Looking at these two for now:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GXZSAE4...v_ov_lig_dp_it

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09QF78SYK...v_ov_lig_dp_it


I'm very, very glad that I opened this thread and took a chance. A sincere "Thank You" to all who've participated.

Wait until you try a badger hair brush and a good soap for lather ;-)

[gringop]

I picked this straight razor up at a gun show back in the 90s. It appears to be a natural ivory or horn handle.

I've had this issue before where the metal "Friodur" label gets caught on something and bent up away from the handle.




Today was "fix the razor day", I've previously done a quick messy crazy glue fix. Today, I did it more
carefully.

You can see a goofy bend after the D riser, with my eyes and hands it will just have to stay that way.



These are the only markings on it, I'm proud of my 72 1/2.



So far, I have not cut my head off with it...so far.

Gringop

[perlslacker]

I had to replace an old tin of soap from a maker who went out of business. I got a jar from https://www.mikesnaturalsoaps.com/shaving_jars]Mike’s Natural Soaps[/url] based on some online reviews.

It’s good stuff! The lanolin makes my face feel great after shaving, while being significantly easier to lather than Mitchell’s.

Getting the exact scent you want may be kind of difficult since it’s a one-man operation with a lot of demand. I settled for the Vetiver scent which isn’t my favorite but isn’t strong enough to detract from the experience.

[RoyGBiv]

I had to replace an old tin of soap from a maker who went out of business. I got a jar from https://www.mikesnaturalsoaps.com/shaving_jars]Mike’s Natural Soaps[/url] based on some online reviews.

It’s good stuff! The lanolin makes my face feel great after shaving, while being significantly easier to lather than Mitchell’s.

Getting the exact scent you want may be kind of difficult since it’s a one-man operation with a lot of demand. I settled for the Vetiver scent which isn’t my favorite but isn’t strong enough to detract from the experience.

Working links...
https://www.mikesnaturalsoaps.com/shaving_pucks
https://www.mikesnaturalsoaps.com/shaving_jars

Out of stock on all pucks and the in-stock jars are not my scent (Wife would make me sleep outside if I ever put on Patchouli), but, thanks for the recommendation.!

Elsewhere....
I had to do a fast shave with a disposable yesterday ... First time away from the double-edge since Christmas... It was very strange how light and shitty the disposable was in comparison... Schick 3-blade... So... I guess I'm officially a convert!

[Malamute]

Ive been watching this for a while, looking at vintage razors on ebay,....

Stopped in an antique shop on the way to get a few groceries, they had a 1976 Gillette Super Speed with black handle. Seemed OK. $10 later and it was mine. Grabbed a few cheap blades at the super center until i can find better ones. Will see how it goes tomorrow.

[RoyGBiv]

Ive been watching this for a while, looking at vintage razors on ebay,....

Stopped in an antique shop on the way to get a few groceries, they had a 1976 Gillette Super Speed with black handle. Seemed OK. $10 later and it was mine. Grabbed a few cheap blades at the super center until i can find better ones. Will see how it goes tomorrow.

Nice find....!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/324352372668

[perlslacker]

Working links...
https://www.mikesnaturalsoaps.com/shaving_pucks
https://www.mikesnaturalsoaps.com/shaving_jars

Thanks. For some reason, vbulletin's automatic URL parsing always gets me when I try to do the bbcode for urls manually on mobile.

I'm back on the boar brush for soaps. I've started squeezing some water out of the knot, without shaking too much water out of the bristles. Doing that with a boar brush has given me the best results with shaving soaps so far.